jrt

You can download the shop manual from yahoo and burn your own CD for...the cost of the CD. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/v11manuals/

the body looks just like a 1937 GT S I can't see it from this side, but this is also about the time that Guzzi came out with the GT 4V four valve motor. The head on this one is different than what I'm used to seeing and it's hard to make out if that's a four valve head. A picture from the other side would confirm or deny

As with the above- I haven't travelled much in the south, but my wife and I rented a BMW (I know, I know...Guzzi's weren't available) and we drove for 7 days around N. Italy and S. Switzerland. Absolutely lovely. Drive like the locals and if you are on a bike- go to the front of the line. I love that. The lakes region is some of the most beautiful country I've seen anywhere. If you want to see the Uffizi in Florence (and you do) then buy tickets online rather than at the Museum. That way, you avoid a two or three hour wait. In Mandello, the Guzzi museum is only open for a limited time in the afternoon. Don't miss it! When we were travelling, we stayed at 'agrotourismo's which are kind of a cross between a B&B and a farm. They are required as part of their tax structure to provide homegrown food/wine as part of the stay, and it was generally the best food we had over there. You want some milk? There's the cow it came from. And it was cool to stay in real people's farmsteads, a converted monastary, and a horse farm. Also, for a fee, there are companies that will create an itinerary for you. We used a young couple who were starting their own business and we liked them quite a lot- they made reservations for us, gave us maps of cool roads to take, and then left us alone to do what we wanted. The fact that there was "a plan" was very important to my lovely wife. She's not into my style of travelling which is drive until you're tired then sleep on the bike. Go figure. Shoot me an email and I'll send you their address if you are interested.

Cheers You might be able to use champagne yeast for the main ferment, but I wouldn't do it on a large scale and be ready for some serious krausen. I totally agree with you- simple, good quality ingredients and good hygiene are the keys for good beer.

Sounds pretty cool- check here: http://www.mgcycle.com/V8.html for a sound file. J

I'll bring the potatos and the onions, Belfast will bring the carrots! Vive la revolucion!

Someday, I come to you with a favor....

"Malt" is maltose- it's two glucose molecules stuck together. "White Sugar" is sucrose- it comprises a glucose and a fructose molecule stuck together. It's the fructose part that gives the off flavors. I use glucose for the finishing sugar- it's easy to metabolise (i.e. fast), cheap, and does not contribute any flavor. Just for kicks, try some of the maltose sometime- not so sweet, is it? Now try some glucose- it's really sweet. Same building blocks...very different characters. It's the way the two molecules fit into your taste receptors that give us the appearance of sweetness. Darn cool. Steve- just for kicks- try using a champagne yeast for your finishing yeast on a lager or a pilsner some time. They produce lots of CO2, so don't use much finishing sugar. It's not a flavor for everyone, but they produce a very fruity finish that I thought was interesting. Not a beer I would drink exclusively, but good for a celebration, if you know what I mean. The alcohol content is a little higher as well.

Oh, well, that's the other thing- don't use a kit. Start from grains. It's much better. Like anything, I suppose, it does take some practice. I have a notebook (a diary?) that I've kept for years with recipes, tasting notes, etc. What can I say...I'm a scientist. Actually- the reason I started homebrewing in the first place was because I have a degree in microbiology. I figured I should get something out of it....

I beg to differ. I brewed my own beer for about 10 years. Lately I've been too busy and I've cut down my beer consumption so I haven't made any in about 2 years. Homebrew is easy to make, and with a very small amount of attention to detail, it will kick the ass off any store-bought brew. Work near a sink. For all practical purposes, potable water is sterile. For sterilizing- I use a big rubbermaid tube. Fill it with 1% bleach and soak the bottles and caps in that until you are ready to use them. Just before you fill the bottles with the wort, rinse them out real good. They can sit upright on a counter- they won't get contaminated. Rinse the bottlecaps similarly- I put them on a piece of paper towel, and put a newspaper (which is also sterile as long as you haven't opened it up) over them to keep dust off. Also, you've inoculated the medium (the wort) with crapload of yeast. Not much can compete with the advantage they have. Also- hops are acidic, and bacteria don't grow well in acidic media. Hops were used as an antiseptic for millennia. A compress of hops can prevent infection (like peat does). You can drop 90% of the spores and various other crap in the air out very easily. Fill a misting bottle with 50:50 water:alcohol (I use ethanol or rubbing). Walk around the room misting. Dust and spores and all that crap adheres to the tiny mist droplets which fall out of the air. 5 minutes later you have a very clean room. Darker beers- porters and stouts- are easiest to make. Lighter beers take more finesse. Try with a nice heavy ale the first time. Oh- one other thing- if you add finishing hops, do that much later than you want to. Wait until it's almost too late. If you add finishing hops while the wort is still hot, you drive off the finish and only add bitter. If you add finishing hops when the wort is warm, but not cool, then you get the finish and not the bitter. That's what you want. Warm to the touch. Enjoy! It's a great hobby! J

For more "realistic" ladies, check out Girls Gone Guzzi: http://www.motoguzzishop.com/Girls_Gone_Guzzi.htm

Ah, I knew I had it somewhere- looks like they've added a few products... http://www.bottegamontana.com/ sorry for the derail.

You might call up Mike Rich to get his assessment on modding your Le Mans. He did the work on the land speed record guzzi. My understanding is that Mike took over from Manfreds old Raceco business? Mike Rich Motorsports 21 Jerusalem Hollow Road Manorville, New York 11949 (631) 874-7032

What time is it?

You better put some air in that tire. Or do you use purified nitrogen in such a machine as yours, TX? Francesco's bike looks great, but you should see some of the furniture he builds....

What'd I say about the seal? If'n you had one on hand, this would never have happened..... I'm with Todd on replacing the cover. Why do the job twice? Why drive around worrying about whether the JB weld is going to hold? I could have sworn I saw a V11 sport cover for sale recently either on line on in the MGNOC newsletter.....I do know Frank Wedge is parting out his Le Mans- he might sell his (doubtful). Or look on ebay or give a call to one of the European Guzzi wreckers.?? Good luck!

Handy lifts are about the best (made here in Iowa!). I have a home-made lift, and the lesson I learned from that is - make sure you have a plate that covers the entire lift. It's nice to have a flat working area. I have a piece of channel that the bike sets in, and there's not much room to set down tools or bolts. I'm going to have to weld on some plate to get that surface area.

I usually put spare parts and nuts/bolts into ziplock bags with a note to remind me what they were. Anyone need a ziplock bag with a spring and two small roller bearings? Oh- I would go ahead and order a new seal depending on the price. It's probably fine, but if you have a spare on hand, then it will definitely be ok.

Does it really say that?

They were pilots- they never built planes as far as I know. The real question is 'would you ride a bike built by these guys whilst being attacked by an eagle?' I

I see your maneater and raise you a killer (KLR, that is) This was two weeks ago- already ice forming in the low spots. Now everything is covered in snow... And my other Guzzi, of course:

You could make the shift knob break off pretty easily by attaching it with a soft bolt. I made a shifter and brake lever set for my V11 because I put the set-back pegs on it. It works very nicely, but it's kind of ugly. I'd like to see some made up, but I can't say I'd be a customer. All the stuff I've seen from Guzzitech (if that's how you were going to do it) is very nice. I'm still lusting over the spacer for the V750 Breva. That was a great idea.

The 1000S was a beauty. Today they command good prices (for a Guzzi). Also- look at all the fine folks who did such nice work 're-engineering' the 1000S from Jackals and such.

yeah, we're really stringing this thread out....

Hey neighbor, I'm just down the road in Iowa City. Welcome! I'm glad you found us. This site is undoubtably the best for V11 related information since it so specialized. There is enough info here to keep you worried or busy for a long time depending on whether you are a 'half full' or 'half empty' sort. Guzzi's are wonderful bikes and the marque attracts an eclectic group of riders. You might want to contact George Vignovich, the Iowa State Guzzi rep, if you are interested in participating in the MGNOC nationals- which happen to be in Iowa (Elkader) this coming year. Also, you are relatively close to a good dealer- Ned's Auto and Cycle- in Riverside Iowa. They are highly recommended. You are also as close as a phone call to other good dealers in the US, such as MPH cycles in Houston (regular contributors on this forum). I hope to see you on the road this spring- Feel free to PM or email me if you have any questions off-list.